Clark completes line-up

Royal Naval Officer Penny Clark has earned the nod for the British Laser Radial berth for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, with her official selection today, along with eight other sailors, by the British Olympic Association completing the British sailing team line-up for the 2008 Games.

Sailing is the first British sport to have completed its cast for the Beijing Games with Clark, plus RS:X windsurfers Nick Dempsey and Bryony Shaw, the 470 men’s and women’s crews of Nick Rogers-Joe Glanfield and Christina Bassadone-Saskia Clark and Tornado duo Leigh McMillan and Will Howden, all officially named today as members of ‘Team GB’ – the BOA’s team for the Beijing 2008 Olympics, which could ultimately comprise 300 athletes competing across 22 sports at the Games in August.

The 32-year-old Penny Clark earned her call-up following an extended trials process for the Laser Radial class in which she and Andrea Brewster, Charlotte Dobson and Lizzie Vickers were all vying for the single British berth in the class.

A bronze medallist in the Olympic waters of Qingdao at the 2006 Test Event, Clark earned her nomination by the RYA’s Olympic selectors after having performed most consistently, and having delivered the best overall results, during the second stage of the selection process which began at the 2007 ISAF World Championships and went onto include Miami Olympic Classes Regatta and the 2008 Laser Radial World Championships.

“I’m really happy to have been selected, but for me it’s just another hurdle towards the end goal, which has always been to get on that podium in China,” explained Clark.

“I think the trials process for us has been really important preparation for China, and has actually been a good experience,” she continued. “There was lots of pressure on me heading into the Worlds as I felt the trials were mine to lose after Miami. Learning how to sail under pressure and still delivering a result at the Worlds has shown that I can carry it off – and working with the girls and training as a squad has played a big part in that.”

Simon Clegg, BOA Chief Executive and 2008 Chef de Mission, said: “Sailing was the first sport for which we selected members of Team GB for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. I am now delighted to announce the rest of the sailors, which includes a strong mix of experienced and new talent, who will be joining the team at the Olympics in August.

“This means that sailing is the first sport for which we have completed selection and we wish all the sailors the best of luck as they prepare to go to Qingdao to compete for Team GB at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.”

Stephen Park, RYA Olympic Manager and sailing’s Team Leader for the Beijing Games said: “We’re delighted to be able to welcome Penny into the RYA’s list of nominated sailors, and to have today finalised our team for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

“The RYA selectors have been impressed by the level of competition in the Laser Radial trials, where all four girls have pushed themselves, working together and individually, to get the best for themselves and to increase Great Britain’s chances of winning a medal at the 2008 Games.

“The clock is ticking ever faster now as we enter the final phase of our Games preparations, and having now completed our line-up of sailors for Beijing, the team as a whole is focussing fully on delivering the goods in China, where we hope we can do the nation proud once again.”

Chris Atkins, Chairman of the RYA Selection Committee added, “The sailors who’ve been officially named today are all proven performers on the world stage and their inclusion as part of Team GB will put us in the best possible shape to achieve our target of three medals in Qingdao this summer.”